The Boy In The Suitcase

Alphanso Warren (in White) -- Kingston, Jamaica

The Boy In The Suitcase. No, not the International Bestseller book by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnette Friis. But the real life and tragic story of a 2 year-old boy mummified and stuffed into a suitcase for over two months. No, not by some child predator. By his parents. This were the same parents that left their daughter in a stairwell 4 years prior.


In 2008, Toronto was disturbed by the news of a 8 month-old baby girl that was left in a stairwell in -14C weather. She became a household name and was known to many as "Baby Angelica". Angelica's parents, Stephanie (age 34) and Alphanso Warren (32) were residents of Toronto who had three other children. After the case was "resolved" in 2009, the Warrens relocated to Kingston, Jamaica while Stephanie was pregnant. Baby Angelica has since been adopted.

Baby Angelica -- 2008

On January 15th, 2012, neighbours of the Warrens raided their home after not seeing the Warren's 2 year-old son, Joshua (Jeshurun), for over two months. The gruesome discovery of the little boy partially mummified and stuffed in a suitcase was broadcasted in the news in Jamaica as well as Toronto. 

"I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG" -- Stephanie Warren

During an interview I had for a volunteer position, I was asked, "Why do you think people neglect or abuse their children?". This was a loaded question and I had loaded answers.
Every situation is different and there could be more than a few reasons and not limited to specific situations as they cannot be generalized to all. As much as I understand that socioeconomic status, mental disorders, lack of education in parenting, past history of childhood abuse of parents etc. are all factors that fuel the constant cycle of abuse, I question why the parents of Joshua and Baby Angelica were even able to move to Jamaica.


After the discover of Angelica, it is evident that the Warrens did not need jail time, but psychiatric rehabilitation. Yet, Alphanso Warren served a 22-month sentence while Stephanie Warren was ordered to pay $300. 
Apparently, $300.00 and spending 2 Birthdays in jail is the price of nearly killing an 8 month-old baby.


Perhaps the tragic death of Joshua could not have been necessarily avoided, but the psychiatric evaluation and rehabilitation of the Warrens could have prevented and delayed them from started another family. 


On Tuesday, January 24th, the Warrens were ordered to go through psychiatric evaluation. In comparison to the United States, Canada's Judicial system greatly emphasizes rehabilitation rather than going straight to jail and although this is great news, I question why this wasn't ordered when Baby Angelica was discovered. 


Stephanie Warren stands by her innocence claiming she did nothing wrong and says, "Anyone who knows me knows I love my children". What is even more disturbing is that she brings RELIGION and JESUS into the mix and claims that she and Alphanso do not follow other people's guidelines on raising children, but they follow the Holy Bible and King James bible. 


Now, I can't say I've read the Bible, but can someone who has point out the part where the Warren's behaviour is justified?
Warren also says that they did not do anything to Joshua, and that he died of natural causes. I don't know about you, but a suitcase is hardly a coffin and the closet is not a burial.


In addition, when asked about her other children who were apprehended by Children's Aid Society of Toronto, we said, "The Canadian system is corrupt,” she said this week. “If something happens with one child, they take all your children away"....


Well DUH.